Tool simulation system, simulation workpiece, and method of operation

Abstract

A simulator system for use in simulating fabrication or construction comprises a simulation tool with a magnet mounted on a working end, a simulation workpiece comprising a substrate with an alignment location and at least one tool path indicator; and a sensor device with a corresponding alignment location and at least one magnetic sensor. When the sensor device is aligned with the simulation workpiece, the sensor device detects the moving magnetic field of the simulation tool and determines a path travelled by the tool with respect to the sensor device. The system can then determine if the path is consistent with simulation performance data, and can provide feedback accordingly. In this system, the simulation workpiece can be formed of inexpensive printed paper that is bent, curved, or folded into shape.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A printed substrate for a simulation workpiece, the printed substrate comprising:
 a substrate;   at least one sensor alignment mark printed on the substrate for physically aligning the printed substrate with a separate stationary sensor device; and   at least one tool path indicator printed on the substrate.   
     
     
         24 . The printed substrate of  claim 23 , comprising one or more assembly indicators printed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is curvable, bendable or foldable to produce a shaped simulation workpiece. 
     
     
         25 . The printed substrate of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one tool path indicator is positioned on the printed substrate such that the at least one tool path indicator is visible on the shaped simulation workpiece produced from the printed substrate. 
     
     
         26 . The printed substrate of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more assembly indicators comprise at least one fold line. 
     
     
         27 . The printed substrate of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more assembly indicators comprise at least one fastening location. 
     
     
         28 . The printed substrate of  claim 24 , wherein the substrate is bendable or foldable to provide a tee joint simulation workpiece. 
     
     
         29 . The printed substrate of  claim 24 , wherein the substrate is curvable or foldable to provide a pipe joint. 
     
     
         30 . The printed substrate of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one sensor alignment mark is printed proximate to an edge of the substrate. 
     
     
         31 . The printed substrate of  claim 23 , wherein comprising at least one machine-readable indicium associating the printed substrate with a simulation exercise. 
     
     
         32 . The printed substrate of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one machine-readable indicium comprises simulation performance data for the simulation exercise, the simulation performance data comprising at least path information for a simulation tool. 
     
     
         33 . The printed substrate of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one machine-readable indicium comprises address information for directing a communications device to retrieve simulation performance data for the simulation exercise, the simulation performance data comprising at least path information for a simulation tool. 
     
     
         34 . A printed substrate for a simulation workpiece, the printed substrate comprising:
 a substrate;   at least one sensor alignment mark printed on the substrate;   at least one tool path indicator printed on the substrate;   one or more assembly indicators printed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is curvable, bendable or foldable according to the one or more assembly indicators to produce a shaped simulation workpiece; and   at least one machine-readable indicium associating the printed substrate with a simulation exercise, the at least one machine-readable indicium comprising address information for directing a communications device to retrieve simulation performance data for the simulation exercise.   
     
     
         35 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one tool path indicator is positioned on the printed substrate such that the at least one tool path indicator is visible on the shaped simulation workpiece produced from the printed substrate. 
     
     
         36 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the one or more assembly indicators comprise at least one fold line. 
     
     
         37 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the one or more assembly indicators comprise at least one fastening location. 
     
     
         38 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the substrate is bendable or foldable to provide a tee joint simulation workpiece. 
     
     
         39 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the substrate is curvable or foldable to provide a pipe joint. 
     
     
         40 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one sensor alignment mark is printed proximate to an edge of the substrate. 
     
     
         41 . The printed substrate of  claim 34 , wherein the simulation performance data comprises at least path information for a simulation tool. 
     
     
         42 . The printed substrate of  claim 23 , wherein the simulation workpiece is a welding simulation workpiece. 
     
     
         43 . The printed substrate of  claim 23 , wherein the substrate is a sheet of paper. 
     
     
         44 . A method of delivering a simulation workpiece for use in a tool simulation exercise, the method comprising:
 transmitting a digital representation of the printed substrate of  claim 23  to a recipient electronic device for printing by a printer.